![Paul Stirling (Source - Twitter)](https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/1280x960/filters:format(webp)/mazaplay/media/post_banners/RxXt0paPxnNFKOLKQUPq.png)
Paul Stirling (Source - Twitter)
Ireland and United Arab Emirates (UAE) are currently clashing against each other in a group B contest which is also the 20th match of the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023 qualifiers at the Bulawayo Athletic Club in Bulawayo on Tuesday, June 27. Both teams are only playing for their pride as both of them are already eliminated from the tournament and won’t be taking part in the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023.
Meanwhile, Ireland’s star batter Paul Stirling displayed a brilliant batting performance in the first innings of the match. Stirling smashed a brilliant century off 101 balls and didn’t stop there as he ended up scoring 162 runs off just 134 balls which included 15 fours and 8 sixes. He talked about his knock in the post-innings interview.
"It was good fun. Always nice to get a big score. Partnerships are what we talk about. Good to do it today and not just talk about it. It was quite tough to start. You had to give yourself 10-15 balls.” Stirling was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.
Brilliant batting performance by Irish batters
Talking about the match, UAE won the toss and elected to field first, however, their decision proved wrong as the Irish batters displayed an outstanding batting performance and helped the team to achieve a monumental total of 349 runs in 50 overs. Ireland lost their first wicket on the score of 41 runs but Stirling stitched a massive 184-run partnership with skipper Andy Balbirnie for the 2nd wicket.
Balbirnie also smashed a responsible half-century and played a 66-run knock off 88 deliveries. The young Irish sensation Harry Tector smashed a quick fifty to help his team to cross the 300-run mark. He scored 57 runs off just 33 deliveries which included 4 fours and 2 sixes. Sanchit Sharma was the highest wicket-taker for UAE as he picked 3 wickets and conceded 46 runs. Surprisingly he didn’t complete his full overs quota as there were still 3 overs left.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Dead rubber
— Sreerag Rajesh (@RajeshSreerag) June 27, 2023
Paul Stirling >>>> fitness fraud Chokli
— Ganguly (@cricketgoa88598) June 27, 2023
Jab marna tha taab nehi mara..
— Chamunda (@sammy_702) June 27, 2023
Meherban dair kardi aatay aatay
— Yasir Lodhi Pathan (@scorpionyasir1) June 27, 2023
Please i beg please buy him in ipl
— 𝐕𝐈𝐑𝐌𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐈 𝙎𝙪𝙮𝙖𝙨𝙝 (@VirMessiSuyash) June 27, 2023
Zim have made some serious roads In qualifiers
— 𝐇𝐚𝐬𝐧𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐥𝐢 𝐇𝐚𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫 🇵🇰🇦🇪 (@ihasnainalihaid) June 27, 2023
Lalettan mass 🔥
— Capboy (@2Capboy) June 27, 2023
Really it's crazy 🥵💦💦
— FIRE 45 (@firefire0045) June 27, 2023